Rode NTH-100 review: Super-comfy studio cans

Rode — the Australian firm beloved by YouTubers, podcasters, and different makers for its versatile household of high-performance microphones — has made the soar to the opposite aspect of the audio chain with its first headphones, the $149 Rode NTH-100.

Their worth and meant viewers (professional and novice content material creators) places them squarely in competitors with Audio-Technica’s $149 ATH-M50x, a set of closed-back over-ear studio screens with an virtually cultlike devotion. The NTH-100 step into the ring with a totally trendy design and superior supplies, however is that sufficient to influence potential consumers to take the (ahem) Rode much less traveled? Let’s test them out.

Design

From their asymmetrical, triangular earcups, to their single-sided forks and signature Rode gold dot accents, the NTH-100 are each elegant and crowd pleasing. As an alternative of the standard leather-based or protein leather-based utilized by most studio cans, Rode has made in depth use of breathable, suede-like Alcantra material to wrap each the headscarf and the ear cushions.

Contained in the generously padded ear cushions is a reminiscence foam that includes CoolTech, a Rode-created gel that the corporate says will maintain your ears from heating up the way in which they may when utilizing different headphones. Rode says they’re simply and shortly swappable ought to it is advisable exchange them. However probably the most fascinating function is Rode’s FitLok dimension adjustment system. Most headbands use index sizing — small notches that allow you to enhance or lower the dimensions of the headphones in small increments. However this strategy can typically result in a Goldilocks downside: A bit too huge, or a bit too small, however by no means fairly proper.

FitLok’s rotating, locking cams allow you to regulate the spring metal headband to precisely the size you need after which lock that dimension in place.

In one other nod to getting the headphones arrange simply the way in which you need them, Rode has put in locking headphone cable inputs on each earcups, a function that tends to solely present up on rather more costly headphones just like the V-Moda M200.

There’s only one downside with Rode’s strategy to the NTH-100. They don’t fold and the earcup pivots can’t rotate a full 90-degrees to lie flat. This makes portability tougher as they’ll take up numerous house in a bag, and it hinders anybody who desires to observe audio through one ear — DJs being the plain instance.

You may also discover that shiny, debossed Rode “Ø’” logos on the earcup surfaces are simply scratched, so make sure you maintain them protected when packing them.

Rode features a single, 7.8-foot cable — preferrred for studios, however possibly not a lot for different makes use of. There’s additionally a protecting however very skinny artificial bag, a 3.5mm to quarter-inch adapter, and a few coloured plastic rings to assist with cable identification.

Although I didn’t topic the NTH-100 to any sturdiness exams, Rode claims it has engineered these headphones to resist fairly a little bit of punishment: The wires that join the earcups to at least one one other through the headscarf can deal with as much as 55 kilos of pressure. The locking audio cable makes use of a barely softer plastic for its connector than the enter jacks on the earcups. Rode claims that ought to the cable be yanked with adequate pressure, it’s the connector, not the jack that can fail first, which is preferable to the choice.

Consolation

The worth of Rode’s elegant design and use of high-quality supplies like steel and the CoolTech gel, is paid in additional weight. At 12 ounces, the NTH-100 are heavier than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (10 ounces), V-Moda M-200 (10.2 ounces), and Beyerdynamic’s DT 770 PRO (9.5 ounces).

However extra weight doesn’t all the time imply much less consolation. I’ve been pleasantly shocked by simply how cozy Apple’s AirPods Max really feel after they’re on my head, and so they weigh a whopping 13.6 ounces. The identical is usually true for the NTH-100. They envelop your head in an enormous, comfy hug that minimizes a lot of their weight.

These Alcantra-wrapped ear cushions really feel superb in opposition to your ears and head, and their comparatively deep sides present an ethereal, roomy pocket for ears of any dimension. These deep cushions additionally present a forgiving match for individuals who put on glasses. There’s greater than sufficient swivel and pivot play within the hinge parts to get the earcups to lie flush in opposition to your head. All issues thought of, they remind me of the plush match of the open-back Sennheiser HD560S, an extremely comfy set of cans.

The CoolTech gel isn’t a gimmick. Nicely into my second hour of carrying the NTH-100, my ears felt cooler and extra comfy than another closed-back headphones in my assortment. The FitLok mechanisms work properly, and haven’t any downside holding the headscarf dimension the place you want it, although dialing in that adjustment generally is a bit fiddly when the cans are in your head.

However regardless of these wonderful design decisions, two issues forestall the NTH-100 from being good within the match division. The primary is Rode’s number of a comparatively slim headband. All the studio cans it competes with (together with the ATH-m50x and DT 770 PRO) have headbands which might be 1.5 inches at their widest factors. The AirPods Max is nearer to 2 inches. However the NTH-100 are a mere 1 inch vast. Which means they provide 33% much less floor space for distributing as much as 20% extra weight. Clamping pressure and ear cushion design can offset this discrepancy to a level, however you do ultimately turn out to be conscious of that ridge on prime of your head.

Second, many of the NTH-100’s mass is positioned within the earcups. And since the earcups are so generously padded, that mass sits additional away out of your head. This will increase the notion of weight, particularly while you transfer your head and the earcups shift just a little in response. It’s not a deal-breaker, however the ATH-M50x’s wider headband and lower-mass earcups create much less fatigue over time.

Sound high quality

The Rode NTH-100 are impressively clear and balanced, letting you hear the entire delicate nuances in your most well-liked audio, whether or not it’s music, voice, or video games. Some studio screens, which try for a impartial or flat frequency response, find yourself making a sound profile that may be chilly, or medical. Not so with the NTH-100, which ship a full of life and energetic efficiency that additionally possesses a pure heat.

Bass is punchy however by no means overpowering, and there’s loads of midrange element. A observe like Lorde’s Photo voltaic Energy is a wonderful showcase for the headphones’ capacity to breed the resonant thrumming of an acoustic guitar, whereas concurrently letting the vocals soar free, with crystal readability. Credit score have to be given to Rode’s tuning of the 40 millimeter dynamic drivers, however the unsung hero is the NTH-100’s wonderful passive noise isolation, which retains exterior sounds largely at bay.

The soundstage is vast, however not panoramic, and inside its unfold, devices and vocals take pleasure in precision placement, with none smearing of places. Modifications in quantity are dealt with with clean proportions, and if there’s any distortion, it should solely present up at volumes which might be properly past my capacity to endure with out inducing ache.

I feel most experts and fanatics alike will take pleasure in listening to the NTH-100’s efficiency, nevertheless it’s price declaring that the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x nonetheless have an edge. For as clear and exact because the NTH-100 are, the M50x are even clearer, with a laser-like precision.

Does that make the M50x higher? Nicely, it relies on your tastes. Together with that additional readability, the Audio-Technica can come throughout as a bit chilly. For important audio monitoring, they’re very exhausting to beat, however that precision may turn out to be a tad tiring. With their hotter tone and barely softer edges, the NTH-100 allow you to pay attention for longer — that makes them extra fulfilling for occasions while you merely wish to get misplaced in your favourite music, as a substitute of performing a forensic evaluation.

Our take

Rode’s first headphones are modern, plush and comfy, and possess a wonderful stage of audio high quality for professionals and fanatics alike. They’re a bit heavy although, and an absence of absolutely articulated hinges makes them a troublesome promote for normal vacationers or those that want single-earcup use.

Is there a greater various?

For the worth, I feel the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are nonetheless the cans to beat. They fold, they can be utilized to observe with a single ear, and so they weigh much less too. In addition they include three completely different lengths and kinds of locking cable, making them extra versatile. The M50x do lack the NTH-100’s trendy styling and deeply plush cushioning.

How lengthy will they final?

The Rode NTH-100 look like extraordinarily well-built from top-quality supplies. The locking design of the cables ought to maintain the headphone inputs from being broken, however even when that occurs, you’ve obtained two inputs you’ll be able to work with. Rode backs them with a two-year manufacturing facility guarantee.

Must you purchase them?

Sure. So long as you don’t thoughts the absence of folding hinges, or the power to swivel the earcups 90 levels, the NTH-100 might be very succesful audio companions whether or not you’re a maker, or simply somebody who desires to take pleasure in what others have made.

Editors’ Selection